His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the Republic of Tanzania

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, 31 January 2016,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- It
is my pleasure to announce today that I have accepted the invitation
from the Confederation of African Football and from Gavi, the Vaccine
Alliance to serve as Champion for Immunization
and as Global Ambassador of Africa United. Africa United is a
pan-African innovative initiative led by Gavi, the Confederation of
African Football, the African Union, the World Bank Group and the CDC
Foundation. This initiative leverages sport to catalyze
action on critical health issues facing the continent.

Africa United was first deployed during the Ebola crisis, enlisting
influencers like Kei Kamara of Sierra Leone to spread Ebola prevention
messages and to encourage the population to trust and seek care within
the health system. Africa United spokespeople also
brought increased attention to the crisis through an African Union-led
awareness and fundraising campaign called Africa Against Ebola.

Under my leadership, Africa United will focus on promoting universal
health access, beginning with a focus on Universal Immunization.
Immunization is crucial to saving the lives of children across Africa -
and the world. Immunization will be key to preventing
over 1.5 million deaths each year. Universal vaccination will also play
a fundamental role in developing a healthy, resilient population and in
ensuring that we develop the economies we need to face the challenges
of the next century.

Today, as I announce my commitment to the health of the African
continent, I call on every Head of State across Africa to prioritize
access to vaccination in each and every community.

Africa United will formally launch its universal immunization initiative
next week in Kigali at the 4th Edition of the Orange African Nations
Championship - Rwanda 2016. In Kigali, my esteemed partner in this
fight, CAF, will remind everyone that "Every Shot
Counts" as we look achieve our goal of Universal Immunization.

Please join me and Africa United as we fight for a more secure future through universal access to immunization.